12 Facts About Freddie Cox

Frederick James Arthur Cox DFC was an English football player and manager.

Freddie Cox then spent 14 years as a manager at Football League level.

Freddie Cox played for St George's Lads Club before joining Tottenham Hotspur as a youngster.

Freddie Cox took his first steps in senior football with Spurs' nursery club, the Kent-based Northfleet United, in 1936, before turning professional with Tottenham in August 1938.

Freddie Cox served as a fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Freddie Cox made his Arsenal debut straight away, on 7 September 1949 against West Bromwich Albion, and became an immediate regular in the side.

Freddie Cox's efforts were most evident in the FA Cup.

In 1958 he moved along the coast to become Portsmouth's manager; here he was less successful as Portsmouth were relegated from the First Division in his first season, and Freddie Cox was sacked in February 1961.

Freddie Cox is commonly regarded as being Portsmouth's worst ever manager, and during his tenure the club steeply declined from the top half of the First Division to relegation to the Third Division.

Freddie Cox had an immediate impact, taking a side that had finished 20th the previous season up to 5th place, missing out on promotion on goal average.

Freddie Cox resigned just before Christmas 1965 and rejoined his old club Bournemouth, who were in the Third Division.

Freddie Cox was sacked that summer and never worked in football again.